Taking Paxil, and can't sleep! - Anxiety Message Board

Forcefed4 · 05-02-2003, 08:53 AM

Hi all. Hopefully someone with experience using Paxil can offer some advice.

My doctor wanted me to try 20mg/day of Paxil for stress related anxiety. I have definitely not been myself for the last 12 months, so I was willing to give it a shot. He had given me samples of Lexapro last September, but I only took one. (and for the record, the Lexapro was like a living HELL for me...it made my mind race, I couldnt think straight, and I was awake for 2 day straight).

Anyway, so I am a little over 2 weeks into using Paxil, and it's going OK. I do feel more "stable and relaxed" most of the time, though I have been more aggressive at work some times. But my main problem is I can't SLEEP!

I have tried taking the Paxil in the morning, at night...it doesn't seem to matter. When I do fall asleep, I usually wake up in the middle of the night, and I am wide awake. Very frustrating.

Is this a symptom that could fade with time? I eat healthy, exercise, and want soem good sleep :P

Thanks for any help,

Kev

Only Me · 05-02-2003, 09:17 AM

Hi Kev,

This is a startup effect with Paxil. The same thing happened to me when I started it this Jan. It will get better as your body gets used to it. You should stick to taking it at more or less the same time as Paxil has a short half life and leaves your body quickly. By taking it the same time, the level is more maintained.

Taking it at night works good for me. I sleep great now but went through the same thing as you did. Keep eating healthy as Paxil is known for weight gain. I have been watching my diet and have actually lost weight.

Did your Dr. start you with 20mg.? I started with 10mg. and then went to 20mg. and am staying there. I'm not on edge as before and not angry as I was before.

Best of luck to you!

Only Me

Forcefed4 · 05-02-2003, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the reply! Yes, my doctor started me on 10mg (half a pill) for a week, I did that for 8 days (4 pills total), then jumped to 20mg. I did that for the last 2 weeks or so, but the inability to sleep is driving me crazy :P

Other things I noticed, is deep uncontrollable yawning (though I don't feel tires), a little edgy (almost like I am TOO Focused, this might not be bad), and lowered libido (already...ughh).

I guess I will stick with it and see if my body starts to adjust. How long were you on it before some of the initial side effects faded away?

Kev

Only Me · 05-02-2003, 01:22 PM

Not sure how long it took before the insomnia went away but I would have to say maybe a month or a little bit longer. Yes, unfortunately Paxil does have some sexual side effects. My drive has actually increased but getting to the end seems impossible these days (I'm female). There is a drug called Wellbutrin that supposedly has no sexual side effects. I'm actually supposed to do research on that but I decided to stick with the Pax for awhile as there has been a positive improvement with me. If this becomes a problem for you, you will probably have to discuss it with your prescribing doc.

You didn't say why you were taking the Paxil(symptoms).
Just curious! Maybe we could compare notes. With me, I would be on edge constantly and if I was having a bad day, dropping a cup would be a big deal. And of course the worrying!

Only Me

hry33 · 05-02-2003, 04:01 PM

you could go back to 10mg paxil for a while, if this helps you sleep